Beginning the germination process! – Page 7 – Germination – PalmsNorth.com

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · 2011-01-28T23:49:38Z

I'm now starting to prepare for (hopefully) germinating quite a variety of seeds. I have somewhere around 100 different species of seed that I'll try to germinate, but I'm going to start with the seeds which I have the most of. Later on, I'll try to germinate the rest. I'll try to document the process as best as I can (ex. numbers of seed, days to first signs of germination, temp/soil, etc) throughout the coming months (or years :lol:), and hopefully this post can serve as a reference for anyone else trying to germinate the same species! I'll take some pics with my BB.I've began converting my computer room into a bit of a "germination room". Many of the seeds require heat in order to grow (sabals, etc). I looked into germination mats, but it would cost hundreds of dollars to cover a 6' x 6' area. I've ordered 24' of Flexwatt heat tape (the 11" width), as well as some dimmer switches to attach to the tape. The dimmer switches control the amount of power that goes into the heat tape, therefore controlling the temps. I'm going to cut the tape to size, lay it on the floor, and use it as a germination area. I'm also going to be trying out a product called Nitrozyme, which has been recommended by many palm websites for increased germination. To try to get a comparison of the product vs. nothing, I'll have a seperate space where I'll apply Nitrozyme to some seeds, and nothing to others. I'll check which ones germinate first, and if there seems to be any increased growth due to the product. I only have a 100 ml bottle, so I'll have to make it last! :lol: In the next post, I'll list which seeds I'll be trying first. Hopefully I'll start sowing them sometime next week!Cameron.

gpenny

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Cameron
Have you tried a Dremel Tool. They come with an assortment of sanding bits. I use one of the metal ones at low RPM and it works great! I had some concerns about it overheating but I can't detect any heat when sanding. Very quick!!!

Posted : 13/02/2011 4:27 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Jim, that's a great link! I wish we had some more places like that in Canada.

gpenny, I'll have to check one out!

Posted : 13/02/2011 5:31 pm

hardyjim

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Yea,it is a great way to sprout your little sporelings,esp
considering that losing them after the have some character leaves
is a very common problem-

the larger container allows them
to get some size before they are moved-

they are so delicate
when small that they actually need to be hardened off to drier air
outside their chamber!

Posted : 13/02/2011 7:11 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I finally had a bit of free time this evening, so I decided to set up the heat tape.

Empty space:

Heat tape down:

Hopefully within a few days I should have everything planted!

Posted : 13/02/2011 9:40 pm

lucky1

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Cameron, not concerned the "trapped heat" will damage your wood floor?

Next, the downside of OLD seeds, they pop, soon fall over and die.
Wagnerianus

:evil3:
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 13/02/2011 9:53 pm

Dean W.

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Cameron, good luck with the seeds. The heat tape looks great.

Dean

Posted : 13/02/2011 9:56 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I'm not too concerned about the heat, but I'll keep an eye on it. The temps aren't really going to get over 30 C anyways.

Thanks, Dean!

Posted : 13/02/2011 9:57 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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After a couple more hours of work, all of the Jubaea seeds are sanded, and are going to be soaking for a few days:

Posted : 14/02/2011 1:59 am

BILL MA

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Holy Jubaea seeds Cameron, that's awesome!!! Must have been a lot of work sanding all of those guys 😯 I hope they reward you by all sprouting!

warmer weather on the way 😀 😀 😀

Bill

Posted : 14/02/2011 10:16 am

hardyjim

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So,will you be starting a Jubaea forest then! 😯 😛

Posted : 14/02/2011 1:15 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Thanks guys! I know this might sound hard to believe, but a couple of seeds within that group started to pop within 1 hour of being sanded and placed in warm water!

Posted : 14/02/2011 2:29 pm

lucky1

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a couple of seeds within that group started to pop within 1 hour of being sanded

Incredible!
This will become THE only way to germinate seeds.

You'll have to scramble to get your growing media ready :colors: 😆 😆

Congrats Cameron...fine work.
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 14/02/2011 3:51 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Thanks Barb!

Here's a seed after about 14 hours (sorry it's a bit blurry):

Posted : 14/02/2011 4:10 pm

lucky1

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Man, that is exciting...

Just your heart pounding = camera blur 😀
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 14/02/2011 4:31 pm

Dean W.

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That was.....fast. 😯

Dean

Posted : 14/02/2011 4:33 pm